Israel and Iran halt attacks after first exchange of fire since April ceasefire

Israel and Iran have halted their mutual attacks following the first direct exchange of fire since a ceasefire took effect in April. Iran launched approximately 30 rockets at Israel, prompting Israeli airstrikes on military targets in western and central Iran. Both countries announced the cessation of their operations on Monday after US President Donald Trump called for de-escalation.

The escalation began overnight Sunday into Monday when Iran launched its first military operation against Israel since the April 8 ceasefire. Iranian forces justified the attack as retaliation for ongoing Israeli operations in Lebanon. Israel responded with two waves of airstrikes targeting Iranian military facilities. According to Iranian authorities, 15 people were injured in the Israeli attacks, with one person still hospitalized.

US President Trump played a crucial role in the de-escalation, intervening both publicly and through direct communications with both sides. Trump wrote on his Truth Social network: "Israel and Iran must immediately stop 'shooting.'" Reports indicate he held a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. An Israeli official told television stations that Israel had halted its attacks on Iran at Trump's request.

The April ceasefire had ended a period of intense fighting but proved fragile. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam revealed that Israel has conducted nearly 3,500 airstrikes on Lebanon since the ceasefire took effect. While attacks on Beirut and its suburbs have largely ceased, fighting continued in southern Lebanon between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah. Israeli troops remain positioned deep inside southern Lebanese territory.

Iran's military command declared the end of operations against Israel on Monday but warned of "more severe and crushing measures" should Israel continue its attacks on Lebanon. Iranian leadership described their action as a "painful response" in support of Lebanon. President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran remains at the negotiating table.

Israel, for its part, announced it would respond to any attacks from Iran or Lebanon. An Israeli official warned that any attack from Lebanon would lead to retaliatory strikes on the Dahieh area, a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut's southern suburbs. The Israeli Air Force had triggered sirens across the country during the night, instructing citizens to seek shelter.

The international community responded with concern to the escalation. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on all sides to exercise restraint, warning of the "unbearable consequences" of a return to full-scale war. He emphasized that Pakistan is working with partners toward a peaceful diplomatic solution. Other international actors also expressed concern about threats to the fragile peace process.

Trump, who began the war in February alongside Israel, is now attempting to position himself as a mediator. Reports suggest increasing tensions between Trump and Netanyahu, complicating the dynamics of US-Israeli relations. Trump stated that "final negotiations" on peace were underway, without providing details.

The events highlight the fragility of the ceasefire and ongoing regional tensions. While both sides have temporarily halted their direct attacks, underlying conflicts remain unresolved. The situation in Lebanon, where Israeli operations and Hezbollah activities continue, could serve as a trigger for new escalations. Observers warn of a possible return to regional full-scale war should diplomatic efforts fail.

The exchange of fire represents the most serious threat to the ceasefire since its implementation. Iran's decision to launch missiles was reportedly triggered by continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon, which Tehran views as violations of the truce agreement. The nearly 3,500 Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since April demonstrate the limited scope of the ceasefire, which appears to have primarily affected operations around Beirut rather than southern Lebanon.

Trump's intervention appears to have been decisive in preventing further escalation. His public calls for both sides to stop fighting, combined with direct diplomatic pressure on Netanyahu, helped bring the immediate crisis under control. However, the underlying issues that led to this flare-up remain unaddressed, raising questions about the sustainability of the current arrangements and the prospects for lasting peace in the region.